Control system for cloth laying machines



Nov. 17, 1953 w. E. SHAAK ETAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CLOTH LAYING MACHINES2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 21, 1952 Will/am E Slma/r Nathan N. ShankINVENTORS M Ammlqs Nov. 17, 1953 w. E. SHAAK ET AL 2,659,597

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CLOTH LAYING MACHINES Filed July 21, 1952 2Sheets-Sheet 2 William E. Shank BY i 1Z5? Patented Nov. 17, 1953 CONTROLSYSTEM FOR CLOTH LAYING MACHINES William E. Shaak,"New Orleans, andNathan N. Shaak, Metairie, La.

Application July 21, 1952, Serial No-.'299,958

5 Claims.

This invention relates to a cloth laying machine and particularly to acontrol system fora reversible motor driven cloth laying machine.

In the construction of articles such as, mens, womens, misses, childrensand boys outer and under garments, tents, bags or any other itemsmanufactured from cloth, it is customary to provide layers of cloth on aso-called spreading table and have the cloth layers alternately arrangedwith the edges in substantially complete alignment with each other withthe ends of the cloth layers held down by various clamps. Heretofore, ithas been customary to have an operator operate the cloth laying machineand a second operator maintain the cloth lays :in the necessary closeedge alignment.

Various systems have been proposed for allowing one man to operate acloth laying machine. These heretofore known systems in general includesome means such as pull cords for stopping the motor after which theoperator must walk to the machine and manipulate it after which themotor may be started. The heretofore known systems have been ineificientand unsatisfactory in operation.

The present invention provides a cloth laying system in which a singleoperator may both con trol the cloth laying machine and justify theedges of the superimposed lays. This is accomplished by means of acontrol system having a reversable motor starter which will 'drive' themotor in either direction and a control system for the starter includingbusses mounted along the side of the table which have control station'sso positioned that the operator can reach a station from any place alongthe table. stations may be arranged in any suitable position along thetable so that they will be within ready reach of the operator-"whowill'follow the machine and. justify the edges of the lays the stationswill be so fixed or arranged that" at all times one of the stations iswithin reach of the operator. Usually, this means that the stations willbe arranged in an order between 4 and 8 feet. The spacing being somewhatdependent upon the nature of the Work and the immediate necessity ofstopping the motor at the first sign of disarrangement.

The arrangement is further provided with limit control stations ateach-end of'the lay so that the motor driven cloth laying machine may beautomatically reversed at the end of each lay so that the operator willhave his hands continuous free to justify the uppermost layer of cloth.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improvedcloth laying device.

While the It is a further object of the invention .to' provide. .anautomatically controlled cloth. laying machine.

It is a further object of the invention.to.. pro.- videa controlsystemby which one operator can eihciently. operate alaying machine andjustify the cloth laid thereby.

It is a further object. of. the invention to. pro.- vide .a controlsystem which is operable. from any. position along. the. laying. table.

It isa further object of the invention to provide an adjustable.limitstationfor controlling thelength of cloth layon .a table,

It is a further object of theinventionto provide .a control systemhaving. terminalIblo'cks by whichthe control limit station may ,be adjustably connected to thecontrol system...

Other objects andv many of. theattendant advantagesof theinvention willbe apparent from the following. detailed description takenin'iconjunction with the accompanying dr'awingin which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a cloth laying machine according tothe invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram. of thei control system forthecloth laying machine; an

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of a jumper block for cooperation withthe terminal blocks .of the control system."

A cloth laying. device according. to the invention comprises a tablebody Hi supported on suitable legs I 2' and having tracks [4 and I6mounted longitudinally on the table. A fixed clampis maintained at oneend of the table and such a device is schematically shown at 18.Likewise, an adjustable clamp 22 is provided on the table II] and isconnected thereto/by means of. c-clamps 20. The adjustable clamp .22being movable along the length of the table to accommodate variouslengths of lays; For simplicity of' illustration the clamps I8 and 22have been schematically shown and no attempt" has been made to show-ordisclose the operating structure of 'such clamps. However, it issufiicient to say theclamps are quite complicated and are adapted tohold a plurality of layers of cloth and to pick up layers gf' clothwithout releasing the cloth previously eld.

A cloth laying machine '24 is provided with arms or roll holding bracket25 and is provided with flange wheels 26 cooperating with the rails l4and IS. A reversable motor 28 "preferably of three-phase alternatingcurrent type is'connected in driving 'relation to the cloth'layingmachine 24 and has a trolley or kite 30 connected with overhead trolleys32. The trolleys 32 are supported on suitable standards 34 and 36 bysuitable insulators 38 and 40. A feed cable 42 connects the conductors32 to reversable control motor starter 44 and energy is supplied theretoby means of a three-phase connection 46 fed from any suitable source ofpower not shown.

The reversable motor starter 44 is controlled by a remote control systemcomprising a plurality of bus conductors conected into the controller 44and extending along one side or edge .of the table top I and having aplurality of control stations 46 connected therein. The control systemalso includes a fixed limit station including a first limit or stopswitch 50 and a second limit or forward switch 52. A movable clamp 22has associated therewith and movable therewith a bracket 54 on which issupported an angle bar 56 on which is mounted a limit stop switch 58 anda limit reverse switch 60.

While obviously there is no difference in importanco of motion in thelaying machine in either direction, for the purpose of simplicity in thespecification and description of the machine, motion away from the fixedclamp I8 is arbitrarily called forward motion and motion toward thefixed clamp I8 is likewise arbitrarily called reverse motion. Likewise,switches causing motion of the laying machine 24 in the direction awayfrom the fixed clamp I8 will be arbitrarily called forward switches andthe switches causing motion of the laying machine 24 toward the fixedclamp I8 will be called reverse switches.

Distributed along the sides of the table I0 are a plurality of terminalblocks 62. The limit station including the stop switches 58 and thereverse switch 66 is provided with a flexible connector 64 which has aplug-in terminal 66 for plugging the movable limit station into any ofthe terminal blocks 62. A jumper plug 88 is provided for cooperationwith each of the terminals 62 other than the one selectively engaged bythe plug-in 66 so that the buses can be continued through the terminals.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention each of the stations 46includes a normally closed stop switch a normally open forward switch I2and a normally open reverse switch I4. A fixed limit station or thestation adjacent the fixed clamp I8 is provided with a normally closedlimit switch 50 and a normally open forward switch 52. Likewise amovable limit station is provided with the normally closed stop switch'58 and the normally open reverse switch 60.

The bus system includes a supply bus 80 which includes in series circuitrelation each of the stop switches in the stations 46 and the stopswitches 50 and 58. Likewise, the bus 80 is connected to terminals 82and 84 in the terminal blocks 62 and the terminals 82 and 84 areconnected by a jumper 86 having a terminal 88 for association with theterminal 84 and a terminal 90 for association with the terminal 82, Itwill thus be seen from the diagram of Figure 2 that the bus 80 extendsthrough all of the stop switches and includes the jumpers 86 on all ofthe terminal blocks 62 other than the terminal block occupied by theplug-in 66 which is provided with a terminal 92 engageable with theterminal 84 of any one of the terminal blocks 86 and a terminal 84 forengagement with the terminal 82 of any of the terminal blocks 62 and aterminal 96 engageable with any of the terminals 98 and the terminalblocks 62 for reason that will presently be described. I v I It will beobvious then that the bus will extend through all of the stationsincluding the limit stations and return through the bus I 02. It isapparent that the opening of any stop switch I3 or the stop switch 50 or58 Or the removal of any of the jumpers 86 will break the bus 80 anddeenergize the bus I 02.

A forward control bus I04 is provided through all of the stations andthe fixed limit station and all of the forward switches I2 are connectedin parallel between the bus I 02 and I04 and when moved to closedposition will cause motion of the cloth laying machine in the forwarddirection. Likewise a reverse bus I06 extends through all of thestations 46 and is connected by means of terminal 98 to terminal 96 ofthe plug-in connector 66 so that the reverse switch 60 as well as all ofthe reverse switches 14 are connected in parallel relation between thebus I02 and I06 so that closure of any of the switches I4 or 60 willcause reverse motion of the cloth laying machine 24.

A deactivating switch I68 i provided in series with the limit forwardswitch 52 and a deactivating switch IIO is provided in series with thereverse limit switch 60.

When it is desired to have automatic reversal of the cloth layingmachine at either or both ends of the table ID switches I08 and H0 oreither of them may be closed as is desired. When the switches I66 orIII] are opened or both of them, the switches 52 and 60 respectively,are deenergized and the reversal or forward motion at the clamps will bedetermined by starting either the forward switch I2 or the reverseswitch I4 as may be appropriate.

In the operation of the device a roll of cloth II2 is placed on the arms25 of the machine 24 and the end of the cloth is clamped under theautomatic clamp I8 and the clamp 22 will be adjusted to the proper clothlay length. The machine 24 will then be caused to traverse in theforward direction by closing one of the switches 12 and will lay a layerII 4 of cloth as the machine 24 approaches the adjustable clamp 22 afinger H5 will activate the limit switch 58 to deenergize the bus I02and thus deenergize the starter 44 so that the motor 28 is denergized.However, the inertia of the machine 24 will cause it to move forwardinto the clamp 22 which will automatically clamp down the material fedby the machine 24 and the finger II6 will contact and actuate thereverse switch 60 so that the machine will automatically reverse andtraverse toward the fixed clamp I6 leaving the second layer I I4 ofcloth which the operator will justify so that the edges are in perfectalignment with each other. As long as the cloth lays correctly themachine will traverse until the finger I20 actuates the stop switch 50which will again doenergize the controller 44 and as before the inertiaof the machine 24 will carry the machine forward until the clamp I6picks up the cloth carried thereby and the finger I 26 actuates theforward switch 52. If at any time there is a mislay of cloth and theoperator must stop the machine he may touch any of the stop switches 10denergizing the bus I02 and deenergizing starter 44. As soon as thecloth is properly justified the proper switch I2 or 14 may be contactedto again start the machine 24 in the desired direction.

It will be apparent that the cloth spreading machine 24 is under theinstant control of the operator by merely pressing a button on thecontrol stations and it may be allowed to be automatic at the reversalat either end of the stroke or both ends of the stroke so that the laysmay continue automatically as long as the operator may maintain theedges justified.

It will be apparent that the present invention provides a cloth layingmachine in which the single operator may completely operate the machinewhile justifying the successive lays of cloth on the table. It will befurther apparent that the machine may be either automatically ormanually reversable at the ends of the lays as may be desired.

For purpose of exemplification a particular embodiment of the inventionhas been shown and described according to the best present understandingthereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications can be made therein without departing from the truespirit of the invention.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. In a cloth laying device having a spreading table, a motor operatedspreading machine operable between fixed and an adjustable cloth clampon said table, a control system for said machine including a reversablemotor connected in driving relation to said machine, a reversingcontroller, a supply circuit connected to said controller, a

invention, what is feeder circuit between said controller and said 0motor, a control system comprising a plurality of control busesoperatively connected to said controller and extending adjacent one sideof said table, a plurality of control stations distributed along theside of said table, said stations being spaced a distance of the orderof four to eight feet apart, each of said control stations including astop, a forward and a reverse switch, said switches being operativelyconnected to said buses.

2. In a cloth laying device having a spreading table, a motor operatedspreading machine oper able between fixed and an adjustable cloth clampon said table, a control system for said machine including a reversablemotor connected in driving relation to said machine, a reversingcontroller, a supply circuit connected to said controller, a feedercircuit between said controller and said motor, a control systemcomprisin a plurality of control buses operatively connected to saidcontroller and extending adjacent one side of said table, a plurality ofcontrol stations distributed along the side of said table, said stationsbeing spaced a distance of the order of four to eight feet apart, eachof said control stations including a stop, a forward and a reverseswitch, said switches being operatively connected to said buses, a limitstation including a stop and a forward switch, means operable inresponse to the approach of the spreading machine to said fixed clampfor actuating the stop switch and the forward switch in the order named.

3. In a cloth laying device having a spreading table, a motor operatedspreading machine operable between fixed and an adjustable cloth clampon said table, a control system for said machine including a reversablemotor connected in driving relation to said machine, a reversingcontroller, a supply circuit connected to said controller, a feedercircuit between said controller and said motor, a control systemcomprising a plurality of control buses operatively connected to saidcontroller and extending adjacent one side of said table, a plurality ofcontrol stations distributed along the side of said table, said stationsbeing spaced a distance of the order of four to eight feet apart, eachof said control stations including a stop, a forward and a reverseswitch, said switches being operatively connected to said buses, a limitstation movable with said adjustable clamp, said limit station includinga stop means operable in response to the approach of said spreadingmachine to said adjustable clamp to operate the stop switch and thereverse switch in the order named.

4. In a cloth laying device having a spreading table, a motor operatedspreading machine operable between fixed and an adjustable cloth clampon said table, a control system for said machine including a reversablemotor connected in driving relation to said machine, a reversingcontroller, a supply circuit connected to said controller, a feedercircuit between said controller and said motor, a control systemcomprising a plurality of control buses operatively connected to saidcontroller and extending adjacent one side of said table, a plurality ofcontrol stations distributed along the side of said table, said stationsbeing spaced a distance of the order of four to eight feet apart, eachof said control stations including a stop, a forward and a reverseswitch, said switches being operatively connected to said buses, a limitstation movable with said adjustable clamp, said limit station includinga stop means operable in response to the approach of said spreadingmachine to said adjustable clamp to operate the stop switch and thereverse switch in the order named, a plurality of terminal blocksdistributed along the side of said table, a plug-in connection forselectively connecting said limit station at any of said terminalblocks, jumper blocks associated with all terminal blocks other than theterminal block to which the plug-in connection is made.

5. In a cloth laying device having a spreading table, a spread ngmachine operable to lay superposed layers of cloth on said table and areversable motor connected in driving relation to said spreadingmachine, a control system including a reversing controller, a pluralityof control buses, a fixed limit stat on, said fixed limit stationincluding a stop and forward switch, a movable limit station, saidmovable limit station including a stop switch and a reverse switch, aplurality of terminal blocks distributed along the side of said table, aconnector including a plug-in connector selectively connecting saidmovable limit station to any terminal block and jumper blocksoperatively engaged with each terminal block other than the terminalblock engaged by said plug-in connector.

WILLIAM E. SHAAK. NATHAN N. SHAAK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,224,550 Johnston May 1, 1917 1,458,896 Soylan June 12, 19232,148,375 Krassner Feb. 21, 1939

